Mechanically sealed container cap

ABSTRACT

A cap for a container includes a base portion that connects to the container, the base portion including a mouthpiece in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the container. A seal member is movably connected relative to the base portion, and the seal member moves between an unactuated and an actuated position. The seal member allows a fluid to flow from the internal cavity of the container through the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the actuated position, and seals the internal cavity of the container in the unactuated position. The cap also includes an actuating portion that actuates the seal member between the unactuated position and the actuated position to selectively open the internal cavity of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/992,828, filed May 13, 2014, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to container caps, and more particularly, to container caps with sealing mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Generally, containers (e.g., sports containers) may include a cap that has a mechanism for opening and closing the cap to selectively control when fluid may enter and/or exit the container (e.g., a screw-on cap, a flip cap, etc.). Such caps may include a sealing member (e.g., a gasket) to enhance the seal. Generally, to access the fluid within the container, the cap or a lid portion of the cap must be moved relative to, or removed from, the container so that a fluid path into the container may be accessed. Moreover, caps that do not require removal of the cap to open a fluid path normally only have a single hole for fluid to flow out of, and thus limit the size and/or orientation of the fluid flow path such that a user may only obtain fluid from a small portion of the cap. Solutions for providing improved sealing caps are needed.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a cap for a container includes a base portion configured to connect to the container, the base portion including a mouthpiece (also referred to herein as a “sipper”) configured to be in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the container. A seal member is movably connected relative to the base portion, the seal member being configured to move between an unactuated and an actuated position. The seal member is configured to allow a fluid to flow from the internal cavity of the container through the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the actuated position, and is configured to seal the internal cavity of the container in the unactuated position. The cap also includes an actuating portion configured to actuate the seal member between the unactuated position and the actuated position to selectively open the internal cavity of the container.

The seal member may include any suitable gasket. In some embodiments, the seal member may further include a plate member and a seal ring disposed around the plate member. The plate member may be removably secured to the actuating portion with pinch clips or any other suitable attachment.

The actuating portion may include a button and/or any suitable actuator. The actuating portion may include a spring and cam mechanism configured to selectively lock the seal member in the actuated position and the unactuated position with each actuation of the button.

In some embodiments, the seal member moves away from the base portion to create a gap therebetween to allow fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the actuated position.

It is contemplated that the seal member may abut the base portion to prevent fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece when the seal member is in an unactuated position. In some embodiments, the base portion further includes a diaphragm configured to abut the seal member when the seal member is in the unactuated position. The base portion may also include at least one gasket disposed around the base portion for sealing an outer surface of the base portion and the container together.

The mouthpiece may be substantially cup shaped and the base portion may include a plurality of openings circumferentially disposed therein to create a fluid path between the internal cavity of the container and the mouthpiece that is substantially circumferential about an inner surface of the mouthpiece such that a user may receive fluid from an internal cavity of the container regardless of the orientation of the mouthpiece or container.

The actuating portion may include a housing configured to mount to the base portion, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion configured to attach to the base portion and a flow guide portion that defines an inner bather of a flow path from the inner cavity of the container to the mouthpiece. The flow guide portion includes a cylindrical shape extending from about the plurality of openings in the base portion up to a flange portion that extends radially outward therefrom. The mounting portion may be removably secured to the base portion with screw threading.

The actuating portion may include an elastic cover configured to change state between a first state in the unactuated condition and a second state in the actuated condition to indicate whether fluid may flow from the inner cavity of the container.

In at least one aspect of this disclosure, an actuating portion for a container cap may include a housing, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion configured to attach to a base portion of a container cap, and a flow guide portion that defines an inner bather of a flow path from the inner cavity of the container to the mouthpiece and an actuating mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to move a seal member between an unactuated position and an actuated position.

In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a container may include a container housing defining an inner cavity configured to hold a fluid and a cap as disclosed herein.

Other aspects and embodiments of this disclosure are discussed infra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a cap in accordance with this disclosure, shown with the seal member in the unactuated (e.g., sealed) position;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the cap of FIG. 1A, shown with the seal member in the actuated (e.g., unsealed) position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cap of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cap of FIG. 1A attached to a container, showing a cross-section of a container disposed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the subject disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While example embodiments are described, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, this disclosure covers not only the embodiments described herein, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50, as well as all intervening decimal values between the aforementioned integers such as, for example, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9. With respect to sub-ranges, “nested sub-ranges” that extend from either end point of the range are specifically contemplated. For example, a nested sub-range of an exemplary range of 1 to 50 may comprise 1 to 10, 1 to 20, 1 to 30, and 1 to 40 in one direction, or 50 to 40, 50 to 30, 50 to 20, and 50 to 10 in the other direction.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” and similar terms (e.g., “substantially”, “approximately”) are understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. Such terms may be understood as meaning within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about.”

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, in at least one aspect of this disclosure, a cap 100 for a container includes a base portion 102 configured to connect to the container, the base portion 102 including a mouthpiece (or “sipper”) 101 configured to be in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the container. In some embodiments, the base portion 102 may also include at least one gasket 103 disposed around the base portion 102 for sealing an outer surface of the base portion 102 and the container together.

The mouthpiece 101 may be substantially cup shaped, and the base portion 102 (e.g., mouthpiece 101) may include a plurality of openings 101 a circumferentially disposed therein to create a fluid path between the internal cavity of the container and the mouthpiece 101 that is substantially circumferential about an inner surface of the mouthpiece 101. This arrangement allows a user to receive fluid from the internal cavity of the container regardless of the orientation of the mouthpiece 101 or container.

A seal member 106 may be movably connected relative to the base portion 102, the seal member 106 being configured to move between an unactuated position (FIG. 1A) and an actuated position (FIG. 1B). The seal member 106 may be configured to allow a fluid to flow from the internal cavity of the container through the mouthpiece 101 when the seal member 106 is in the actuated position, and may be configured to seal the internal cavity of the container in the unactuated position.

The seal member 106 may include any suitable sealing device (e.g., a suitable gasket) configured to prevent fluid from exiting the container when in the sealed condition. In some embodiments, as shown best in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the seal member 106 may further include a plate member 107 and a seal ring 109 disposed around the plate member 107. In some embodiments, the seal member 106 moves away from the base portion 102 to create a gap therebetween to allow fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece 101 when the seal member 106 is in the actuated position. The seal member 106 may abut the base portion 102 to prevent fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece 101 when the seal member 106 is in an unactuated position. The base portion 102 may further include a diaphragm 105 configured to abut the seal member 106 when the seal member 106 is in the unactuated position.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the cap 100 may also include an actuating portion 110 configured to actuate the seal member 106 between the unactuated position and the actuated position to selectively open the internal cavity of the container.

The actuating portion 110 may include a housing configured to mount to the base portion 102, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion 123 configured to attach to the base portion 102 and a flow guide portion 121 that defines an inner bather of a flow path from the inner cavity of the container to the mouthpiece 101. The actuating portion 110 may be centrally disposed relative to the base portion 102 or may be disposed in any other suitable manner.

In some embodiments, the flow guide portion 121 may include a cylindrical shape extending from about the plurality of openings in the base portion 102 up to a flange portion that extends radially outward therefrom. The mounting portion 123 may be removably secured to the base portion 102 with any suitable securement (e.g., screw threading, twist lock, etc.).

The actuating portion 110 may include a button 113 and/or any other suitable actuator. Button 113 may be configured to seat on cam member module 119 by any of a variety of means known to one of skill in the art such as, for example, a threaded connection, a snap connection, a pressure connection, etc. The actuating portion 110 may further include a spring and cam mechanism or any other suitable mechanism configured to selectively lock the seal member 106 in the actuated position and the unactuated position with each actuation of the button 113. The spring and cam mechanism may include an urging member 115 configured to be pushed by the button 113 to urge a cam member 117 to interact with and move relative to a cam housing 121 a (e.g., which may be included within a flow guide portion 121 or in any other suitable location).

A spring 125 may be disposed in communication with the cam member 117 and the mounting portion 123. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-4, other features (e.g., a spring ring 127 and a spring gasket 129) may be disposed between the spring and the mounting portion 123.

A driving member 131 may be fixed to the cam member 117 such that when the cam member 117 is pushed down by the button 113, the driving member 131 may also move down. In such embodiments, the plate member 107 of the seal member 106 may be connected to the driving member 131. In some embodiments, the plate member 107 of the seal member 106 may be removably secured to the driving member 131 with pinch clips 131 a or any other suitable attachment. Pinch clips 131 a may allow for easy removal of the seal member 106 for, e.g., cleaning. A driving member gasket 133 may be disposed between the driving member 131 and the plate member 107 to enhance the fluid seal therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the actuating portion 110 may further include an elastic cover 111 configured to change state between a first state (e.g., not deformed as shown in FIG. 1A) in the unactuated condition and a second state (e.g., deformed as shown in FIG. 1B) in the actuated condition to indicate whether fluid may flow from the inner cavity of the container (e.g., to indicate whether the container is sealed).

Any of the herein described components of the various embodiments of a cap may made with any suitable materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, and/or ceramics. Any seal/gasket herein disclosed may be made of any suitable sealing material such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, soft plastic, and/or foam.

Referring to FIG. 4, in at least one aspect of this disclosure, a container 400 may include a container housing 401 defining an inner cavity 403 configured to hold a fluid and a cap 100 as disclosed herein. The container 400 may be any suitable container, such as a bottle, mug, thermos, sports container, and/or the like, and may be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal). The container 400 may include any suitable shape and design.

While the disclosed embodiments have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap for a container, comprising: a base portion configured to connect to the container, the base portion including a mouthpiece configured to be in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the container; a seal member movably connected relative to the base portion, the seal member being configured to move between an unactuated and an actuated position, wherein the seal member is configured to allow a fluid to flow from the internal cavity of the container through the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the unactuated position, wherein the seal member is configured to seal the internal cavity of the container in the actuated position; and an actuating portion configured to actuate the seal member between the unactuated position and the actuated position to selectively open the internal cavity of the container.
 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a gasket.
 3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the actuating portion includes a button.
 4. The cap of claim 3, wherein the actuating portion includes a spring and cam mechanism configured to selectively lock the seal member in the actuated position and the unactuated position with each actuation of the button.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the seal member moves away from the base portion to create a gap therebetween to allow fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the actuated position.
 6. The cap of claim 1, wherein the seal member abuts the base portion to prevent fluid communication between the inner cavity of the container and the mouthpiece when the seal member is in an unactuated position.
 7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the base portion further includes a diaphragm configured to abut the seal member when the seal member is in the unactuated position.
 8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the base portion further includes at least one gasket disposed around the base portion for sealing an outer surface of the base portion and the container together.
 9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is substantially cup shaped and the base portion includes a plurality of openings circumferentially disposed therein to create a fluid path between the internal cavity of the container and the mouthpiece that is substantially circumferential about an inner surface of the mouthpiece such that a user may receive fluid from an internal cavity of the container regardless of the orientation of the mouthpiece or container.
 10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the actuating portion further includes a housing configured to mount to the base portion, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion configured to attach to the base portion and a flow guide portion that defines an inner bather of a flow path from the inner cavity of the container to the mouthpiece.
 11. The cap of claim 10, wherein the flow guide portion includes a cylindrical shape extending from about the plurality of openings in the base portion up to a flange portion that extends radially outward therefrom.
 12. The cap of claim 10, wherein the mounting portion is removably secured to the base portion with screw threading.
 13. The cap of claim 10, wherein the seal member includes a plate member and a seal ring disposed around the plate member.
 14. The cap of claim 13, wherein the plate member is removably secured to the actuating portion with pinch clips.
 15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the actuating portion includes an elastic cover configured to change state between a first state in the unactuated condition and a second state in the actuated condition to indicate whether fluid may flow from the inner cavity of the container.
 16. An actuating portion for a container cap, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion configured to attach to a base portion of a container cap, and a flow guide portion that defines an inner bather of a flow path from the inner cavity of the container to the mouthpiece; an actuating mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to move a seal member between an unactuated position and an actuated position.
 17. A container including: a container housing defining an inner cavity configured to hold a fluid; and a cap including: a base portion configured to connect to the container, the base portion including a mouthpiece configured to be in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the container; a seal member movably connected relative to the base portion, the seal member being configured to move between an unactuated and an actuated position, wherein the seal member is configured to allow a fluid to flow from the internal cavity of the container through the mouthpiece when the seal member is in the unactuated position, wherein the seal member is configured to seal the internal cavity of the container in the actuated position; and an actuating portion configured to actuate the seal member between the unactuated position and the actuated position to selectively open the internal cavity of the container. 